'Aging in place' an increasing option for seniors

Whenever older Americans like Bea Raker of Oceanside are asked,
four out of five say the same thing: They would strongly prefer to
remain in their homes until the end of their days rather than go to
a nursing home, even if and when they need help caring for
themselves.

Increasingly, that's the way they feel.

"Countless AARP surveys tell us that the vast majority of older
Americans would rather remain in their homes with easy access to
community-based services," said Joanne Disch, member of the AARP
board of directors, in a speech to the International Forum on Long
Term Care in October 2003 in Washington, D.C. "That's almost always
the first choice."

At her home, for example, Bea was able to celebrate her 90th
birthday in September. Her friend and neighbor Maxine Maurice, who
is 80, invited neighbors to Raker's home for cupcakes and fruit
punch.

Two caregivers were on hand to help Raker, who had Alzheimer's
and was unable to move or feed herself, offering her a sip of juice
or plumping up the pillow behind her head.

The party at Raker's home reflected her deepest wish, which she
had stated many times: to stay in her own home, not in a nursing
home or assisted living facility.

Where best to care for elderly people like Raker is a hard
decision -- and with 77 million baby boomers beginning their
retirement years, it is a decision that more and more of us will be
facing.

Home care growing

Services to help the elderly remain at home are increasing.
Indeed, some health care researchers predict that home care will
soon replace nursing home care for the frail and the elderly. A
2007 research study commissioned by Clarity and the EAR Foundation
showed that senior citizens fear moving into a nursing home and
losing their independence more than they fear death.

In 2002, according to a report by the California HealthCare
Foundation, nearly four times as many Californians received
long-term care outside of nursing homes, compared with only 2.5
times as many in 1999.

"As a society, we must find ways to help our parents live in
their latter years at home," said Peter Bell, president of the
National Aging In Place Council, commenting Oct. 25 on the Clarity
survey. "We must make aging in place a national priority and a
reality for older Americans."

But the ability for many of the infirm and elderly to live out
their lives at home depends on many factors, including each
individual's health, mobility and family support, as well as their
access to support services.

"Most people want to stay at home, and we can help them do
that," said Denise Nelesen, a licensed social worker and specialist
for the Department of Aging for the County of San Diego.

"Sometimes it is a matter of one or two things that are the
problem, such as they can't get to the grocery store or do certain
chores or the laundry. Sometimes, if we can plug people in there to
help them, they are content."